Surgical site marker delivery system

Abstract

A marker delivery system is provided that includes a delivery tube and a push rod. The delivery tube is defined by distal and proximal ends and includes a distal opening that communicates with a lumen extending through the delivery tube and a curved distal end portion. The distal opening is positioned distally of the curved distal end portion. The push rod is configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the delivery tube and is sized to extend to at least the distal opening of the delivery tube when the push rod is fully inserted within the delivery tube to push out one or more site markers disposed within the lumen of the delivery tube.

1 . A site marker delivery system, comprising:
 a delivery tube defined by distal and proximal ends; the delivery tube including a distal opening formed at the distal end that communicates with a lumen extending through the delivery tubes and wherein the distal end further includes a curved distal end portion, wherein the distal opening is positioned distally of the curved distal end portion; and   a push rod configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the delivery tube and sized to extend to at least the distal opening of the delivery tube when the push rod is fully inserted within the delivery tube to push a site marker positioned in the lumen out of the distal opening.   
     
     
         2 . The marker deployment device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the delivery tube is defined by a generally linear axis. 
     
     
         3 . The marker deployment device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the push rod is curved. 
     
     
         4 . The marker deployment device of  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the push rod protrudes from the distal opening by a predetermined distance when the push rod is fully inserted within the delivery tube. 
     
     
         5 . The marker deployment device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the push rod is constructed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The marker deployment device of  claim 5 , wherein the push rod is constructed from a first material and a second material, a distal end of the push rod being constructed from the first material and a proximate end of the push rod constructed from the second material, wherein the first material is flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The marker deployment device of  claim 6 , wherein the first material is one of a high density polyethylene, a nylon, a Pebax or a urethane, and the second material is one of a titanium alloy or a stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The marker deployment device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal opening is oriented so as to lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to an axis extending through a non-curved portion of the delivery tube. 
     
     
         9 . A biopsy site marker delivery system, comprising:
 an outer cannula defined by a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the outer cannula defines a lumen and includes an aperture formed in a side-wall of the outer cannula such that the aperture is in communication with the lumen;   a delivery tube defined by distal and proximal ends; the delivery tube including a distal opening formed at the distal end that communicates with a lumen extending through the delivery tube, and wherein the distal end further includes a curved distal end portion, wherein the distal opening is positioned distally of the curved distal end portion, wherein the delivery tube is configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the outer cannula such that the distal opening of the delivery tube is positioned in communication with the aperture of the outer cannula when the delivery tube is fully inserted within the outer cannula; and   a push rod configured for slidable engagement within the lumen of the delivery tube and sized to extend to at least the distal opening of the delivery tube when the push rod is fully inserted within the delivery tube to push a site marker positioned in the lumen out of the distal opening and through the aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The marker deployment device of  claim 9 , wherein an outer surface of the distal opening is generally parallel to a plane extending across the aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The marker deployment device of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the push rod protrudes from the distal opening by a predetermined distance when the push rod is fully inserted within the delivery tube. 
     
     
         12 . The marker deployment device of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of a distal end of the push rod is curved such that the distal end of the push rod extends generally radially towards the aperture when inserted within the delivery tube. 
     
     
         13 . The marker deployment device of  claim 9 , wherein the push rod is constructed from a first material and a second material, a distal end of the push rod constructed from the first material and a proximate end of the push rod constructed from the second material. 
     
     
         14 . The marker deployment device of claim  133 , wherein the first material is one of a high density polyethylene, a nylon, a Pebax or a urethane, and the second material is one of a titanium alloy or a stainless steel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of marking a biopsy site, comprising:
 providing a delivery tube that includes a distal opening formed at a distal end thereof that communicates with a lumen extending through the delivery tube, and wherein the distal end further includes a curved distal end portion, wherein the distal opening is positioned distally of the curved distal end portion;   positioning at least one site marker within the lumen of the delivery tube;   providing an outer cannula that defines a lumen and includes an aperture formed in a side-wall of the outer cannula such that the aperture is in communication with the lumen;   interposing the delivery tube within the outer cannula and aligning the distal opening of the delivery tube with the aperture of the outer cannula, the distal opening of the inner tube extending generally radially towards and in selective communication with the aperture;   sliding a push rod at least partially through the lumen of the delivery tube towards the distal opening; and   contacting the site marker positioned within the lumen of the delivery tube, thereby guiding the site marker out of the distal opening of the lumen of the delivery tube through the aperture of the outer cannula and into a biopsy cavity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of protruding at least a portion of the push rod from the aperture a predetermined distance when the site marker is discharged from the aperture.